Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Game #909 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers @ 7:10 ET - I had the over in this match-up yesterday and, admittedly, caught a break. The game had a decent start in terms of run production but then stalled until the Red Sox had a huge bottom of the 8th. However, rather than shy away from coming right back with the same play (because of getting fortunate) I actually am recommending to again invest in the same play between the same teams today. One of the keys is that the Tigers bullpen has been a strength this season but yesterday's performance absolutely could be a sign of things to come. Likewise, the Red Sox bats have been slow to get going this season but yesterday's 11 runs scored absolutely could be the catalyst for the Boston bats to get hot. That said, the fact this total dropped to a 9 this morning offers value also as now we just need each team to get to 4 runs and we can't lose the play. Note that the Tigers have scored 4 or more runs in 4 straight games. Also, Detroit is averaging 5 runs per game in their last 6 games. The Red Sox have scored 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 6 games and have scored an average of 5.5 runs per game in those 6 games. Boston's Rick Porcello may have extra motivation going against his former team but that didn't help him the last time he faced Detroit. The Tigers got to him for 11 hits in 6 innings when he most recently faced them. Porcello gives up too many homers and that has continued this season and has played a role in his winless record and 8.49 ERA on the season. The Tigers Jordan Zimmerman also has struggled as he is winless with a 4.94 ERA on the season. He started the season well but has a 9.22 ERA in his last 3 starts. Zimmerman's last two starts at Fenway Park have seen him allow 9 earned runs in less than 9 innings of work! The over is 3-0 in Zimmerman's last 3 starts and 4-0 in Porcello's starts this season but 2-0 in Porcello's last two starts against the Tigers. Detroit is a long-term 27-12 to the over in Thursday games and the Red Sox are 3-0 to the overs in Thursday games this season. Lot of perfect edges here! 10* OVER the total in Boston

Total of the Month - Rickenbach NHL Game #3 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7:05 ET - The over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played very well in the first round series versus the Lightning but he does have a sub-par playoff history. Additionally, he could be rusty here after the long layoff between games because Columbus swept Tampa Bay in the first round. The Blue Jackets haven't played in over a week while the Bruins just wrapped up their series with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. I look for Boston to be on the attack early and often in this one as they try to catch Columbus and their rust factor early in the game. Keep in mind Bobrovsky has won just 3 of his 11 career decisions against the Bruins and has an ugly 3.90 GAA against them. The good news for Columbus fans tonight is, even though the Jackets are likely to struggle to stop the Bruins I do see the Blue Jackets scoring well in this one. The moves they made late in the season prior to the trade deadline have strengthened this team. Columbus has been red hot and has won 11 of their last 12 games thanks to production on offense that has seen the Blue Jackets score an average of 4.5 goals per game in these dozen games. More of the same expected here and this total is a bargain at 5.5 goals. Once the Jackets shake the rust off their speed is going to give the Bruins some trouble but look for Boston to get the early jump in this game with some early goals. By the 3rd period I expect this to be a 3-3 game which locks in our play as a win. The Bruins have scored 4 or more goals in 4 of their last 6 games. The over is 12-4 (including 5-0 this season) when Columbus enters a game with 3 or more days of rest between games. 10* OVER the total in Boston

TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Game #525 Thursday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets (+) @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:05 ET - The Spurs are not the team they use to be and that fact continues to show in the post-season results. San Antonio has lost 11 of its last 14 playoff games, got eliminated from the playoffs in the first round last season, and is about to suffer that same fate this season. Yes, the Spurs have home court on their side in this Game 6 but I love the fact that is allowing us to get the Nuggets +3 in this one. Denver has not only won the last two games (including Game 4 in SA), they've dominated as they've won each of the last two games by double digits. Keep in mind, the Spurs have not held the Nuggets below 108 points in ANY of the last 4 games. Conversely, San Antonio has been held to 105 points or less in 4 of the 5 games. It is easy to see which team is executing better and I look for Denver to close this out tonight but am happy to grab the 3 points as added "insurance" in this one. The Nuggets are 5-2 ATS this season when off a game in which they held their opponent to 90 points or loss. The Spurs are 11-17 ATS when they enter a game having allowed 105 points or more in 3 straight games. Simply put, San Antonio hasn't been able to get stops when they need them throughout the majority of this series. That problem continues to ail them tonight. 10* DENVER